Commentary: How Germans welcome the new year

When the old year comes to an end, German-speaking people celebrate with parties and fireworks as in many other cultures.

For centuries, they have named the last day of the year after a Roman Catholic saint: Sylvester. Although it is not known when he was born, the Vatican is certain that he was pope from A.D. 314 to A.D. 335. According to a legend, he converted Emperor Constantine I to Christianity and cured him of leprosy. As a token of his gratitude, the emperor gave Saint Sylvester extensive rights to land and power, the so-called “Donation of Constantine.” (Some researchers have even claimed that the gift was a forgery.)

In A.D. 762, Saint Sylvester’s relics were moved to the Church of San Silvestro in Rome, and his feast day continues to be observed on Dec. 31. Today, San Silvestro is the national house of worship of English Catholics in Rome. The British used to celebrate the beginning of the next year on Annunciation Day (March 25), until in 1582 William the Conqueror made Jan. 1 New Year’s Day.

Among the customs whic some Germans and Austrians have continued to observe is lead pouring. A small amount of lead is melted in a tablespoon and then poured into a bowl or bucket of water. The pattern of the molten lead is then interpreted to predict what may happen in the coming year. If the lead you pour forms a ball, that means luck will roll your way. The shape of an anchor means help in need. A cross, however, is interpreted to signify death.

Fireworks on Silvester evening are to welcome the new year and supposed to drive out evil spirits of the past with loud noises and sparkling pyrotechnics. Less widespread today is the German custom of preparing a Feuerzangenbowle, a flaming punch made with fire tongs and containing champagne or sparkling wine (Sekt), rum, oranges, lemons, cinnamon and cloves.

Austrians have a long tradition of welcoming the new year with a performance of Die Fledermaus, an operetta composed by Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899) and featuring a masquerade ball. The show is filled with musical sentiments, such as the line “Glucklich ist, wer vergipt, was doch nicht zu andern ist … ” (“Happy is who forgets what can’t be changed … “).

The Gregorian calendar, which is used in the United States, was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Julian calendar that had been in use until then was slightly inaccurate because it caused the vernal equinox to move backward in the calendar year. According to the Gregorian calendar, the first day of the year is Jan. 1.

Wolf D. Fuhrig of Jacksonville has a doctorate in public law and government from Columbia University.